Job Description

THE ORGANIZATION – YUKON COLLEGE

Located throughout the beautiful and historic territory of the Yukon, Yukon College is a dynamic hub for education and research in the Canadian North. With a main campus in Whitehorse and 13 community campuses throughout the Territory, Yukon College offers a variety of academic, developmental, and vocational programming including access programs, continuing education courses, and over 50 certificate, diploma and degree courses which serve the needs of communities, governments, First Nations, business, and industry.

As the only post-secondary education institution in the Yukon, Yukon College is tri-council eligible, propelling the Territory onto the world stage as a leader in northern research, partnerships, and innovation, particularly with respect to climate change impact, alternative energy, and bioremediation. In 2015, Yukon College was the recipient of the Colleges and Institutes Canada Gold Award for Indigenous Education Excellence, and is the nationally-recognized leader in Indigenous Self-Determination Studies.

Through partnerships with Canadian and American universities, the College offers a variety of programs through seven academic and applied schools, many with a northern focus. The President’s Committee on First Nation Initiatives, with representatives from all fourteen Yukon First Nations, influences the programming and services offered at the College. Furthermore, Yukon College provides the first two years toward university transfer, and in 2017 will be the only institution in northern Canada to offer a post-graduate certificate in Climate Change Policy. The College is home to the Yukon Research Centre, which focuses on “solving northern problems with northern expertise” and consistently achieves top ten status on Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges list, and currently ranks third in the country for research intensity.

Transitioning to university status over the next three years, Yukon College continues to play an integral role in building a healthy, prosperous north through inclusive education and research. Situated at the centre of the grandeur of the mountainous Yukon Territory, spanning urban and rural settings and drawing from the vibrant self-governing Aboriginal communities, the College will continue to partner with First Nations, industry, residents, and government to meet the education, training, and research needs of Yukoners and Canadians alike.

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Director, Organizational Development & Change Management (“Director”) is a key member of Yukon College’s Senior Executive Team and plays a vital role in developing a culture of collegiality, respect, and innovation across the institution. This position provides leadership, planning, implementation, and operational excellence for all organizational development and change management services that support and align with the College’s values, mission, vision and strategic goals.

The Director provides strategic leadership in a broad range of areas, including: organizational development and institution-wide change management, staff training, succession planning, and employee engagement. As the Director, the incumbent will ensure that staff are motivated, empowered, and encouraged to identify innovative approaches to enhance and continuously improve organizational performance.

The Director will also be responsible for leading a public-sector, unionized institution through structured change by developing and retaining a diverse workforce, fostering a productive and positive relationship with organized labour, and ensuring excellence in all aspects of OD practices. The incumbent will play a key leadership role in bringing Indigenous values and approaches to the institution, including ensuring all staff receive required training in First Nations culture and developing plans and processes that support the College’s transition towards a fully Indigenized work environment.

This is a rare opportunity to guide an institution through its transition to university status, providing essential leadership to ensure a people-first culture is maintained through the evolution. The Director should bring business skills that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of OD, providing key guidance and hands-on support across the institution on a range of strategic issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides effective, responsive OD services by:

Demonstrating leadership and setting ambitious and strategic goals for staff work plans, creating processes for the provision of effective, innovative, and compassionate change management services;

Finding innovative solutions to individual challenges and developing policy in a manner that is fair, consistent, and aligned with College values;

Building positive and resilient relationships with leaders, staff, faculty and, where appropriate, students, and supporting their developmental requirements;

Participating as part of the Senior Executive Committee in college-wide decision-making and strategic planning; and

Communicating to College staff on changes to policies, benefits, processes and procedures.

Provides effective change management services by:

Providing guidance to managers in performance management and discipline, with a focus on conflict resolution;

Providing advice and support to employees on a variety of issues when requested;

Providing strategic oversight of the recruitment process, from job description development, to screening, to assessment, to appeals;

Ensuring HR Advisors have the skills, tools, and support to run effective recruitment processes that foster a diverse, capable work force;

Directing all senior level recruitment processes;

Working with CAO and the IT and Learning Commons team, ensuring the College has the appropriate systems in place to manage OD-related information; creating regular, relevant reporting;

Demonstrating ethical leadership and ensuring all employees have adequate education to prevent harassment and promote a respectful workplace.

THE PERSON

The Director, Organizational Development & Change Management will be an inspired leader and strategic thinker, with exceptional organizational abilities and a flair for fostering a culture of service excellence and cohesive organizational development leadership. As a visionary change manager who is able to articulate a bold direction, s/he should possess the collaborative skills and wherewithal to ensure effective OD systems are in place across the institution. The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert known for his/her integrity, team building ability, motivational skills, and ability to integrate best practices from all facets of change management and organizational development, including learning development, implementing performance management frameworks, training and development, reporting and legislation, occupational health and safety, and proven experience leading a public-sector institution through structured, effective change.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

Bachelor-level degree preferred, or a combined combination of education and experience;

Ability to work collaboratively with senior management and employees in planning and developing both divisional and College-wide directions and policies;

Demonstrated ability to provide sound advice to management;

Demonstrated ability to maintain an effective and collegial working relationship with union representatives;

7-10 years of experience of demonstrated, excellent supervisory and team development skills;

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including to large groups;

Knowledge of the concepts and functions of a Human Resource Information System, as well as a demonstrated ability to work with one; and

Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and to proactively support employment equity and diversity within the College.

Competencies and Personal Characteristics

Leadership – Achieves organizational results by encouraging the contribution of others; a positive team player who acts with a sense of urgency and leads by example; sets and communicates clear goals.

Accountable – Holds self and others accountable for responsibilities; focuses on results and measuring attainment of outcomes in a business focus.

Strategic – Develops a plan in support of organizational strategic direction. Understands the link between one’s job and overall organizational goals, and performs one’s job with the broader goals in mind.

Integrity and Honesty – Demonstrates a resolute commitment to and respect for the intent behind the rules and core values of the organization, setting an example of professionalism and ethical propriety.

Innovation – Develops new insights into situations; questions conventional approaches; encourages new ideas and innovations; designs and implements new or cutting-edge programs/processes.

Collaborative – Has an honest, open, consistent approach to working with others. Possesses strong relationship and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, develop/maintain partnerships, and obtain stakeholder agreement.

People Development – Fosters long-term learning and development of others through coaching, managing performance and mentoring; has a genuine desire to develop others and help them succeed; both formally and informally recognizes deserving staff and colleagues.

Student Focused – Anticipates, responds, and attends to the needs of students, and other internal/external stakeholders of the department and organization; keeps student interests in the forefront.